Tables with folding legs are versatile pieces of furniture. The main advantage is that they do not take up too much space during operation and storage. Sometimes it's hard to choose suitable option: what is offered in the store is either of dubious quality or the price is not satisfactory. In this case, you can make a folding table with your own hands. We'll look at how in the article.
Table functionality
A folding table made of wood is very durable and is not inferior in convenience to ordinary furniture. It can be used as a writing desk, a lunch desk, for children's activities, or for crafts. If you think about the decor, it will fit well into the interior of the room. As an option, you can make your own table with folding legs, which will take up little space during transportation.
Another plus: it is ideal for small rooms, if necessary, you can always fold it and hide it in a closet, thereby freeing up space in the room. Some models easily fit into the trunk of a car, which is very convenient - you can take it with you while traveling.
And you don't have to buy it. Making a folding wooden table with your own hands is not at all difficult. The article presents drawings and describes the main stages of work.
This simple design. The most important thing is to prepare all the components and process them efficiently. The dimensions indicated in the drawing give an idea of the dimensions of the entire structure and individual elements.
Beginning of work
First of all, the dimensions of all parts for making a table with your own hands are calculated. Scheme and drawing folding table you can choose any one - it all depends on your capabilities and preferences. In this case, you will need a tabletop and blanks for the legs. As the main material, you can use not only wood, but also glass, metal, plastic or cork panels. So, you should have a drawing of a table (for example, like the one presented later in the article):
As the most simple option will fit wooden boards, fastened together. If desired, you can use a solid countertop. Often folding table legs are made of iron, but at home it will be much easier to work with wood. The following is a list necessary elements(letters are indicated on the diagram).
It is important to correctly calculate the thickness of the legs for the tabletop so that they can easily support its weight and not sag. A larger dining table will need more supports. And they will be larger in diameter. You should also install additional horizontal beams between the top mounts and the countertop. Step by step procedure table assembly:
You can buy wood, boards and other materials necessary for work at a hardware store. You can cut the boards for folding table legs yourself if you have a workbench, circular saw, or handsaw. Always wear polycarbonate safety glasses and a respirator when operating a saw. If you don’t have a saw at home, most stores will cut the wood to the required length.
Wood processing
An important step in creating a table is the processing and finishing of the material. Care should be taken to ensure that the tabletop matches the style of the legs. Folding legs can be made of wood or metal. The wood must be treated before starting work. First of all, roughness is removed from the surface, which can cause scratches or injuries. This is easiest to do with a plane or sandpaper.
Wood coating
Then the wood is coated with a special varnish, which allows the material to be preserved in its original form and protected from moisture and mechanical damage. As an option, you can use water-repellent varnishes; they are considered a fairly reliable product. If you accidentally spill water or another drink, the surface of the countertop will remain unharmed.
Today, the choice of varnishes and paints is very wide: from transparent to dark, matte and the brightest. In addition, the right varnish will make the table an attractive piece of furniture.
Blueprints
The first step is to prepare a drawing of a folding table. It will be much easier to create furniture with your own hands if you follow the instructions. Do not place the legs too close to the center or edges. Place them so that they do not protrude beyond the table when the table is folded. Mark the location of each leg with a pencil on the back of the tabletop. The legs should be positioned symmetrically, at the same distance from the edge.
What should you consider if you are making a folding table with your own hands? In the diagram, the legs do not need to be drawn in detail. The main thing is that the mounting locations are indicated. The table supports do not have to be positioned strictly vertically; there are various design options. They can be directed diagonally and intersect at an angle of 90 degrees, like an ironing board, for example.
Wooden or metal beams as legs they can be fastened in pairs. This option is considered more stable than one with single supports. In addition, at an angle of 30 degrees to their upper part, you can direct additional fasteners, which will serve as a fixing element.
Mounting on brackets
What is the best way to fasten the brackets when making a table with your own hands? Folding legs are best secured using brackets with flat parts that have holes for screws. The main part of the element is a spring rod, which is used to fix the table legs when they are extended.
Take measurements of the top of each leg. When extending, the upper half of the mechanism, attached to the tabletop, must be flat relative to the upper plane of the support. Mark the bracket screw holes on the leg and table top with a pencil. First, secure the bracket part to the leg, then screw it to the tabletop plane. Double check all measurements before drilling holes for screws in the legs or table. Also check that each leg can bend along the tabletop and perpendicular to it when extended.
Completion of work
Lay the table on the floor so that each leg is level, using the penciled holes as a guide. First make holes to secure the brackets to the table. Attach the bracket segment to the leg and then to the bottom of the table. Repeat the same steps for each leg: measurements, alignment, fastening.
Install special rubber or fabric attachments at the ends of folding table legs. It is quite simple to perform this procedure with your own hands. This precaution will protect your floors from scratches and damage.
Woodworking tools
Each craft uses its own tools. From the right choice depends on the quality of the finished product. Most commonly used for making wooden items and furniture - hammer and nails. Hammers that have a claw on the back are very convenient. It balances the blow and helps to remove incorrectly hammered nail.
Screws are considered a good alternative to nails. They are often used to secure folding table legs. You can do all the work yourself, even with a simple screwdriver. For more fast work It is recommended to use an electric screwdriver.
To process or cut wood, you will need a good knife and chisel. A stationery knife with a disposable blade is used for applying patterns and trimming unnecessary parts.
The chisel is usually beveled on both sides, in some models it is beveled only on the side cutting edge. In principle, anyone can work, it all depends on your desires. The chisel must be carefully hit with a hammer so as not to damage the structure of the wood. To check whether the table is level in the end, you should use a level. It will show how inclined the surface is relative to the horizon.
Table decoration
An important point In the process of creating furniture, of course, there is decor. The easiest way to decorate is painting. We sell a wide range of paint and varnish products from various manufacturers. It is important to choose not only the right shade that will harmoniously combine with the interior items, but also the quality. It is better to choose an option that dries quickly and has no odor. Can be used for application paint brush or roller.
For more original finish You can resort to hand painting or unusual coloring. Various stripes, checks and other geometric patterns created using paper tape or a stencil.
Beginners are often afraid of ruining a product with poor-quality dyeing, because they have never done this before. Alternatively, you can use spray paint. Simply shake it and spray the paint over the table surface.
Over time, plain countertops become boring. In this case, something needs to be changed. But it is not necessary to repaint or buy new furniture. You can try decoupage or choose a new tablecloth.
A wooden table leg can be not only a functionally necessary furniture element, but also become its real decoration. About the most interesting and creative ideas design of wooden legs will be discussed in our article.
Material advantages
Wood is a material that has been preferred since ancient times. And this is no coincidence. It is easy to process, which allows you to give the finished product a wide variety of shapes. Another advantage of wood is safety for human health.
For the manufacture of furniture supports they use different varieties wood:
- Oak is considered the most durable. He's not afraid high humidity, temperature changes, does not rot. To process such wood, special equipment is required, which determines high cost finished product. Over time, oak acquires a deeper color.
- Walnut is also resistant to moisture. Its advantages are easy polishing and high strength. However, in order for the tree to retain its flawless quality for a long time appearance, requires treatment with a special agent that prevents the occurrence of rot.
- Beautiful shade belongs to beech. The wood is very durable, but not moisture resistant.
- Tropical wenge wood is another popular option. Ready product It is resistant to mechanical stress, so it retains its impeccable appearance for a long time.
- High performance has mahogany. The only drawback is the too high cost.
Production process
Wooden legs for tables are made using several methods:
- Using lathe the workpiece is mounted on a support. The device cuts out a given shape while the workpiece rotates around an axis at high speed. The advantages of such legs are ease of production and, accordingly, low cost finished product.
- Milling method allows you to perform original and very beautiful products. The milling machine produces a pattern and shape according to the parameters entered into the program. This method relevant when processing expensive wood species, where chips and defects are unacceptable. Using multi-axis milling machines, carved legs are made that look very impressive and luxurious.
- Despite the widespread use modern technologies, manual labor has not sunk into oblivion. Still craftsmen they carve stunning interior items from wood. Manual labor labor-intensive and time-consuming. Therefore, such products are quite expensive.
Design Features
Behind dining table all family members gather. He is a symbol of the family hearth. The number of wooden legs for a table can be very different:
- One support. Feature the design of such models is massive. Indeed, in order for the tabletop to remain stable, the leg must be powerful and large. This option looks good on round and oval models.
- Two supports. Perfect option for an oval shaped table. The design is stable, since the legs end in an extension, which increases the support area. Typically, the two legs are connected by a jumper. It can be located both at the top and at the bottom. Models that are equipped with a carved lintel look especially impressive.
- Four supports. This is the most common option. The legs of such tables can be original, with carved inserts. A special niche is occupied by laconic tables, whose legs are rectangular bars, devoid of any decorative elements. This technique is relevant for high-tech and country styles.
Stylistic decisions
The shape and style of the legs can be very diverse. The most popular are:
- Cabriole. The shape of this leg resembles a wave with two bends. The leg seems to be formed by two arches located opposite to each other (one smoothly flows into the other). Roundness, grace - character traits convertibles. Style was an indicator of luxury and wealth in the 18th century.
- Empire style The style came to us from antiquity. Its peculiarity is the presence of a relief ornament. Often table legs are made in the form of paws fairy-tale creatures– griffins or female figures. For manufacturing you will need dense wood that does not chip.
- Victorian era. These products are very beautiful. They often contain plant elements. Elongated shapes, symmetrical patterns, and gilded decor are the main features of the style.
- Geometric style. Its basis is correctness of form and simplicity. The conical leg can be supplemented with a ball or triangle. There are no complex decor or carved elements in these models. This table fits perfectly with the interior modern apartment. Geometric elements perfectly emphasize minimalism and hi-tech styles.
- Combined style. Designers often use several styles when creating their masterpieces, which gives the product a special flavor. Geometric shapes go well with carved decorative elements and curved lines.
Design options
Using various ways decor, you can turn a table leg into an exclusive one, which none of your friends and acquaintances will have:
- Using a chisel or other sharp object Patterns and ornaments are carved onto the surface. This technique is called carving.
- Chisels, mother-of-pearl and ivory are needed for inlay.
- Individual elements the legs can be covered with gold leaf, copper or bronze.
- Varnish is used as a wood coating. Often several layers are used. For antique items, their number can reach up to 200.
Stylish design techniques
Particularly popular are design developments that are characterized by non-standard and originality:
- Give the living room an unusual, but at the same time modern look, will help round table, made of glass and wood. The transparent tabletop rests on three double wide legs irregular shape. Glass gives lightness, airiness and at the same time allows you to see the wood pattern.
- An interesting technique is to use bright color range. If the legs glass table will be made to match kitchen interior, then they will become color accent harmonizing with the facade of the furniture. Randomly located, they will add uniqueness.
- Coffee tables - essential attribute any living room. In addition to the fact that they have a beautiful appearance, their advantage is functionality. Niches and all kinds of shelves allow the owner to place various useful little things inside the table.
- Tables in which the tabletop smoothly flows into the legs look especially interesting.
Wooden legs can turn a table into a real work of art. At the same time, designers use the most incredible forms.
How to do it yourself?
Handmade furniture is exclusive. Plus, the flight of imagination is not limited. Therefore, you can experiment and make a stylish original thing with minimal effort:
- The sketch must first be transferred to paper. You can use your own version or use one you saw and liked. Do not forget that the length of the legs of the dining table and coffee table excellent. The simplest form of legs is bars.
- After measurements, proceed to purchasing the material. Buy a little more wood than calculated.
- The finished legs must be polished so that the surface is absolutely smooth and does not injure the skin. Use varnishes and impregnations that protect against moisture.
- The legs of the table do not necessarily have to be traditional. Use small long bars. Fold them in a chaotic order, fastening them with screws or wood glue. Place a glass tabletop on top of the structure. The combination of glass and wood will give an amazing effect.
IN better times rural populations all over the world could afford the luxury of beautiful and spectacular furniture.
In addition to the desire for beauty and attempts to imitate the decorative elements of furniture for the nobility, rustic furniture still had its own characteristic features.
Masters invariably used wood as the main and almost the only material in the production of their masterpieces.
As a rule, each area was rich in certain types of wood, which on the other side of the world were considered not just a curiosity, but an unprecedented exoticism.
Some compositions were so loved by the population that they became classics over the centuries. Such furniture still finds its admirers in our time, but you rarely see it in stores. As a rule, returning to the roots in the process of creating furniture today is the lot of home craftsmen and small thematic workshops.
In order to make this coffee table with curly legs with your own hands, you will need:
1. Materials:
- 2 pcs x 100 x 1200 mm - longitudinal parts of the tabletop frame;
- 2 pcs x 100 x 400 mm - transverse parts of the tabletop frame;
- 1 piece x 100 x 400 mm - central part of the tabletop frame;
- 2 pcs x 100 x 600 mm - outer parts of the front side of the tabletop;
- 6 pcs x 100 x 1100 mm - longitudinal parts of the front side of the tabletop;
- 2 pcs x 100 x 1200 mm - longitudinal parts of the lower tier frame;
- 2 pcs x 100 x 400 mm - transverse parts of the lower tier frame;
- 1 piece x 100 x 400 mm - central part of the lower tier frame;
- 16 pcs x 77 x 600 mm - parts of the lower tier flooring;
- figured legs - 4 pcs;
- self-tapping screws or furniture screws;
- milky or snow-white paint;
- glue for woodworking;
- wood varnish.
2. Tools:
- electric drill;
- sander;
- a jigsaw or any other tool for sawing boards;
- screwdriver and Phillips screwdriver;
- clamps or suitable clamps;
- paint brush;
- soft fabric lint-free;
- construction tape;
- pencil.
Step one: preparing the material
Choose planed boards because they have the same thickness, and in your case this is very important.
If you use used material, take care to remove the aged upper layer wood using the same thickness planer. Try not to use jointer, since you will not be able to adjust the boards to the specified thickness.
Avoid damp, freshly cut lumber. Only after proper drying is the wood ready for the production of any wood products. Otherwise, cracks will appear on the surface of the furniture, and the structure itself will lose strength due to changes in the mass of the material.
Use furniture screws or self-tapping screws at the joints that support the structure. You can use nails to secure the parts of the bottom shelf or tabletop. By the way, do not forget that in construction hypermarkets or online stores you can find a wide selection of nails with decorative heads.
The author used ready-made legs, pre-painted, with the effect of a cracked coating. Such legs can be found in furniture supply stores, can be ordered from a turner, or can be dismantled from old tables or staircases, where such elements were primarily used.
Step two: marking and manufacturing parts
The author of this master class shared the measurements coffee table, so you can safely take them into service. If the table is too big for your living room, reduce the proportions. However, do not forget that the more massive the legs you managed to find, the wider and longer the table should be in order to look harmonious.
Carry out the markings, especially carefully if you have changed the original dimensions of the parts. Saw the boards into pieces of the required length.
Step Three: Assembling the Lower and Upper Frames
First of all, you need to make two identical frames in size and design for the table top and the bottom shelf-base.
Each of them consists of two longitudinal and three transverse crossbars. Moreover, the latter are equal in length, as can be seen in the photo below.
Using a drill, make diagonal holes (see photo below), clamp the parts with a clamp to secure them in place, and screw in the screw. Thus, assemble the frame for the tabletop and start making the frame for the shelf.
Step four: post-assembly
Secure the tabletop frame to the legs. To do this, make markings and indicate where the legs will be. Make sure that they are located at the same distance from the edge of the table.
Place the frame on the legs and make four holes to attach them: through the frame and into the end of the leg. It would be a good idea to slightly drill out the hole for the screw head with a drill of a larger diameter.
Apply glue to the torus of each leg and securely secure it with a screw to hold the frame to the leg. With such a combined connection, it is not necessary to wait for the glue to set, but you can safely continue working.
On the frame intended for the lower shelf, nail or screw the transverse boards with screws as shown in the photo. On the reverse side, in each of the corners, the author attached low “legs” made from scraps of boards and shaped like a square.
You can screw wheels to them, or you can limit yourself to rubber protection, which does a good job of protecting the floor from scratches during the use of such furniture.
Assemble the base of the table with its top frame and legs and begin creating the front of the tabletop.
To do this, fasten a transverse board of the tabletop at one edge, nail the longitudinal parts and secure the second transverse board at the opposite edge. Make sure that the edges of the tabletop remain level.
The assembly is complete and you can proceed to the pleasant stage- painting.
Step five: finishing
Before you start painting, thoroughly sand all surfaces. Special attention Pay attention to the areas where the wood will be cut. Remove dust with a damp cloth.
Apply paint to the surface of the table and lightly wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth. This is a kind of imitation of old painting.
You can also paint the wood, wait until the paint is completely dry and lightly sand the surface with sandpaper. However, this way you will get a slightly different effect, a more uniform, although erased, coating.
In any case, which aging technique to choose is up to you to decide, based on the properties of the paint itself. If it is sticky, you won't be able to remove it by rubbing.
Fix the paint with a suitable varnish. For strength, apply it in several layers, using interlayer sanding so that each new layer reliably penetrates the previous one, forming a coating resistant to mechanical damage.
You can use a clear varnish, or you can find a composition with a suitable shade for this project. A translucent varnish will complete the color and make the table as a whole look more organic and in its own style.
Everything in this life is short-lived, including furniture, or rather, its individual parts. Very often the legs of a folding table “fail,” and a dilemma arises: change the table or replace this part? Believe me, it is no more difficult than making a playpen with your own hands, everything is much simpler.
To begin the process, the main thing is to acquire the necessary tools and a lot of patience, then your table, be it round or rectangular, will be able to get new curly legs.
Modern decor involves the use different styles, so this part can be made of wood, metal with chrome plated. Today we will look at the traditional version of the legs, made using dense hardwood.
For these purposes it is necessary to prepare:
- bars measuring 25 × 50 mm in the amount of 8 pieces;
- glue them together, obtaining the necessary 4 blanks for future legs with a size of 50 mm by 50 mm.
We will not make balusters, because such work requires special carpentry skills; we will limit ourselves to the standard form.
The best option is to have a supply of such preparations, as they say, just in case of fire and unforeseen circumstances. Check availability in advance necessary tools, especially with professional level. Plays a huge role proper preparation workplace requiring free space and having the necessary tools at hand.
Stages of creating a part
When choosing wood, pay attention to its structure and direction of the grain. Now you can move on to the main action, having previously decided whether the legs will be folding or folding. Such options are possible and even convenient, but a little more difficult to create.
Don’t forget to open the legs with a special solution that will prevent the formation of fungi and insects, and if necessary, paint and apply varnish.
It is difficult to call this method the simplest. Perhaps on initial stage there will be problems, but in the process everything will smooth out, a “second wind” will open and you 
you won't notice the new set of legs sitting on your desk.
If you have not previously dealt with carpentry at all, then there is a real opportunity to try your hand, especially since numerous blanks provide such a chance. Believe me, the result of your efforts, even if it is far from ideal, will bring a lot of pleasure and invaluable experience!
If you think that making table legs is difficult, know that it is not so. Simple manual carpentry tool, with little hand-eye coordination, these guidelines will help you create traditionally beautiful table legs for your furniture. The photo on the left shows Cabriole Legs made from walnut, but with equal success, you can take any dense deciduous wood to make them. Before starting the actual production, I prepared 8 bars measuring 25 x 50 mm and gluing them together to get 4 blanks (legs) measuring 50 x 50 mm.
Selecting good wood for table legs.
It is better when the leg preparation has a large supply of lumber. Always use a generous allowance on the blank, at least 1/4" in width and 4" longer in length than the length of the finished Cabriole Legs, unless you plan to paint them. Otherwise, poor selection of fibers will ruin the appearance of the leg. Please pay attention great attention selection of wood structure and fiber direction. The first step is to determine your foot measurements. There are table legs different sizes, but most often production starts with basic dimensions 10/4”-16/4”. It is better, when you prepare the support blanks, not to touch them for several days until the final formation of the blank. Once you have decided on the size of the finished leg, you need to make your own template. Three-dimensional appearance or S-curves Cabriole Legs, at first glance, may seem like complex parts. Luckily, a 2D template makes it easy to mark and cut a 3D profile on a band saw. All that remains to be done after band saw, A little self made for precise adjustment of the leg shape. The base template shape is made from 1/4" thick plywood (chipboard). The template should be the same width as the Cabriole Legs and 4” longer than the finished leg length (28”).
Template Layout.
Draw Free Shape Curves
Now it's time to draw the curves freehand. Take your time. Draw graceful arcs and don't be afraid to erase or draw new ones. Draw the lines that remain using a pencil point very bold. Draw their outlines with thin lines, which can be easily erased if you don’t like the drawing. The back and front lines of the leg are slightly curved. A common mistake is to draw these lines straight.
Making a template.
Once you've finished sketching the leg, it's time to cut out the template using a band saw. Necessarily, it is needed for the final formation of the template.
Using sandpaper, align the sawn edges of the template along the sketch line. By smoothing the contours of the lines, you can fine-tune curved lines. Remember that this is a template and it requires a special approach.
Transfer the Template to the Blank.
Before applying the markings from the template to the leg, check the direction of the grain and the structure of the wood again; at the end of each leg, use an arrow to indicate which of the two sides the markings will be applied to. Put all the blanks in one place and in the same direction, this will help to avoid confusion in the future.
Place your leg on a flat surface and use a pencil to transfer the outline of the template to the indicated two sides of the leg. Check that the template was transferred correctly.
Define control point on the edge of the workpiece. From the top edge of the workpiece, measure the distance, usually to the point of greatest deflection of the line, and on both sides, take measurements of the distance from the point to the curved lines. Identical indicators indicate the correct transfer of template dimensions. This distance will be needed in the future when we shape the leg. In the same place, on both sides, we leave a small jumper (bridge).
Cut out the Leg Shape.
Using a band saw, cut out the profile of the front and back of the first side of the leg. Be sure to leave bridges intact.
When the front side and back of the leg were cut out, many of the line markings on the second side of the leg were removed. These lines will be needed when we cut out the second side. Attach the template and complete the lines.
Turn the workpiece 90 degrees and make a cut on the second side of the leg. Notice how the bridges support the base of the leg while cutting. Cut carefully. The goal is to remove as much material as possible, as cleanly as possible. This will reduce the amount of manual work later.
The bridges are cut after the leg profile has been completely formed.
Here are the legs for the table after the cuts band saw. As you can see, the products have curves and a general shape, they just need some refinement. This is where things get interesting.
Drawing Model Lines
We mark the modeling lines on the first side; they will be needed for the final formation of the leg. Apply marks with a pencil from the middle of the ankle at the bottom of the workpiece. Hold the pencil at a distance equal to half the thickness of your ankle. Use your middle finger as a depth gauge and draw a line that is parallel to all four edges on the profile. There is no need for precise marking of model lines. Remember that these are just recommendations.
Marking the model lines on the second side is done in the same way as on the first side.
Heel Foot Shape
Formation of the heel of the foot. First, file the four corners using hand saw. Cut in circles.
Remove any remaining cut wood with a chisel. A rasp and sandpaper. Setting the workpiece in a vise with wooden jaws is a great way to keep the leg in one position without damaging the leg.